Abstract
COVID-19 is a global pandemic, and this calls for a global response. So far, the responses have mainly been national, but the EU has begun to act on behalf of the union as a whole by setting aside funds for the recovery. The United States has largely relinquished its leadership role in this global crisis, and while China has taken a step forward and shipped medical supplies to a number of countries, it does not have the aspiration to lead. We line in a changing world order where four years of leadership by President Donald Trump has led to a loss of trust in American leadership. Even if President-elect Joe Biden will prioritize multilateral solutions, there is no way back to the old world order. At the moment, there is a power vacuum where the EU and Japan together can make a difference.